Overview
ISO 17642-2:2005 - Destructive tests on welds in metallic materials - specifies self‑restraint cold cracking tests for arc welding weldments. It defines the sizes of test pieces, specimen preparation and test procedures for three self‑restraint methods: the CTS (Controlled Thermal Severity) test, the Tekken (Y‑groove) test and the Lehigh (U‑groove) test. The standard is intended to provide information about cold cracking sensitivity during welding and applies primarily to C‑Mn and low‑alloy steels used with covered electrodes and gas‑metal arc welding consumables.
Key topics and technical requirements
- Test methods covered: CTS, Tekken (Y‑groove) and Lehigh (U‑groove) self‑restraint tests for assessing cold cracking sensitivity in welds.
- Specimen geometry and preparation: the standard specifies block sizes, root notch depth and gap, surface finish, and assembly (including bolt size and torque). Example parameters in the standard include a minimum plate thickness of 6 mm, a root notch gap of 1.6 ±0.10 mm and bolt torque around 100 ±5 N·m.
- Anchor welds and consumables: anchor welds must be deposited using consumables with yield strength at least equal to the parent material up to specified limits; instructions on deposit size and hydrogen‑control practices are given.
- Thermal control: procedures for preheating, post‑heating, controlled cooling (including transfer to a cooling bath and maximum water temperature limits) and measurement of heat input are included.
- Evaluation methods: both qualitative (single evaluation under defined welding conditions) and quantitative approaches (series of tests to determine cracking limits). The standard prescribes examination of transverse sections to detect weld metal and HAZ cracks and includes test reporting formats (annexes).
- Scope of processes: targeted at manual and mechanized arc welding (covered electrodes, solid/tubular wires); not generally intended for high‑current processes like submerged‑arc welding.
Applications and users
Who uses ISO 17642-2:2005:
- Welding engineers and procedure developers assessing cold cracking susceptibility.
- Quality assurance and inspection teams performing destructive weld testing for WPS/PQR qualification.
- Consumable manufacturers evaluating electrode and wire performance.
- R&D laboratories studying hydrogen cracking, heat input effects and weldability of C‑Mn and low‑alloy steels.
Practical uses: selecting suitable consumables and preheat/post‑heat regimes, validating welding procedures, and comparing material/consumable sensitivity to cold cracking.
Related standards
- ISO 17642‑1:2004 (General)
- ISO 17642‑3 (Externally loaded tests)
- ISO 3690 (Hydrogen determination in ferritic arc weld metal)
- EN 1043‑1 (Hardness testing)
- EN 1321 (Macro/microscopic examination)
Keywords: ISO 17642-2:2005, cold cracking tests, self-restraint tests, CTS test, Tekken Y‑groove, Lehigh U‑groove, weldability, arc welding, C‑Mn steels, low‑alloy steels.
Open preview (PDF)Destructive tests on welds in metallic materials — Cold cracking tests for weldments — Arc welding processes — Part 2: Self-restraint tests
